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milo bloom 07-14-11 07:16 AM

re: Star Wars
 
And I have always personally maintained that people like Fox have quietly kept their own copies of the originals in safekeeping, plus there's always the projection prints in the hands of private collectors that could be used as reference points.

Lucas may not like the originals, but if he put his mind to it, there could be good, clean versions of the originals done up in a heartbeat.

Jay G. 07-14-11 07:18 AM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by Breather (Post 10853464)
From the link that Jay G posted:

"This is normally the point of a restoration, and though I just a moment ago spoke of this not being the case for Star Wars, the other great irony is that it, at one point, was--before Lucas and ILM could enact the enhancement and alteration of the original content, the film was restored to its original state, the original negative meticulously and painstakingly repaired. This restoration was then used as the basis for digital additions, in effect making the restoration lost."

That's a bit of supposition on the part of the author. While the other details in the article have citations and quotes and such, there's no evidence that completely restored version of the original negative was ever completed.

Rather, after the disassembling the negative to wash the various film stocks separately, the article mentions the various methods used to create a new negative. All optical edits and effects were recomposited, and only a portion of the film was scanned digitally. It's possible all the elements for a complete original negative were restored, assuming they restored even shots they eventually completely replaced in the SEs (and assuming you count the recomposited shots as restored). However, I don't think a completely restored negative was ever assembled.

Even if it was, Spottedfeather's assertion that this restored negative exists as an HD digital transfer is wrong. The film wasn't completely digitally scanned for the 1997 SE, and the negative was physically altered for the SE, meaning there was no original negative after that to scan.


Originally Posted by Breather (Post 10853464)
In other words, can we believe Lucas when it comes to the subject of the negative and when he claims that the originals don't "exist" anymore? I always took that statement by him as philosophical and not technical.

It's actually the reverse. Lucas is technically correct the original negatives for the films don't exist anymore, since the physically altered them for the SEs. However, philosophically speaking, there's still plenty of elements available to make a restoration of the original cuts, at least digitally.


I don't know nearly as much about the subject of film restoration/preservation as some of you, but considering what was posted in the paragraph I quoted from the Secret History of Star Wars site, could it indeed be possible that Lucas has a restored copy, either in negative or scan form, of the originals?
Note in the form of a negative. However, the article lists the existence of interpositives, Technicolor prints, color separation masters, and likely the existence of the original negative pieces that were cut out. A digitally restored copy of the originals is definitely possible, but the evidence suggests that it doesn't already exist.

Josh Z 07-14-11 03:53 PM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by Breather (Post 10853464)
Whether Lucas ever wanted to release the originals again or not, the sensible thing to have done after restoration/prior to alteration would have been to preserve the restored negative by either scanning it or making an all new negative to use for the alterations.

Unfortunately, the words "Lucas" and "sensible" do not belong in the same sentence.

Strevlac 07-14-11 04:58 PM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by Mabuse (Post 10845535)
Speaking strictly photochemically reconstructing the original 1977 version would most likely involve recutting the negative or a duplicate negative and may result in lost frames at the heads and tails. All optical wipes (of which there are many and SW is famous for them) would have to be recreated and timed exactly. The article goes into it at great length.

I don't believe, for one second, that they did anything to the original final cut negative of Star Wars. There is only one of them! That would have been completely insane.

tylergfoster 07-14-11 05:31 PM

re: Star Wars
 
You believe that Lucas' hard-line stance on these changes wouldn't suggest that "insane" is entirely possible?

Josh Z 07-15-11 10:42 AM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by Strevlac (Post 10854337)
I don't believe, for one second, that they did anything to the original final cut negative of Star Wars. There is only one of them! That would have been completely insane.

It happens. Francis Copolla permanently altered the Apocalypse Now negative to conform to the "Redux" version.

Doctorossi 07-15-11 11:00 AM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by Josh Z (Post 10855066)
It happens. Francis Copolla permanently altered the Apocalypse Now negative to conform to the "Redux" version.

Terrible move, IMO.

Breather 07-17-11 01:44 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Informative post, Jay G. Thanks. :)



Originally Posted by Josh Z (Post 10854261)
Unfortunately, the words "Lucas" and "sensible" do not belong in the same sentence.



You believe that Lucas' hard-line stance on these changes wouldn't suggest that "insane" is entirely possible?
:D I hear you guys on that one. I want the OOT released as badly as anyone and I think his stance on the issue has been ridiculous, to put it kindly.

I personally believe that we'll get a Blu-ray release of the restored originals someday. I hope I'm alive to see it though. ;) I'm one that also hopes we'll get an available "ultimate" set someday as well, with the OOT and whatever his latest version is, along with all previously released bonus material. I'm actually more doubtful about that one, however.

I found this article with some quotes from Lucas. Maybe this one indicates a little wavering in his stance. He went from purely "artistic" reasons for not releasing them to it being "too expensive". Maybe just wishful thinking on my part.



""We've been working on them(the September blu-ray set) for quite a while," Mr. Lucas said, "but still, there are pipelines. Unfortunately, the recent releases get priority over what we call the classic versions of things."

Link:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/20...ray-next-year/

LosingMyMind 07-17-11 02:39 PM

re: Star Wars
 
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/4105...u-ray-hands-on

Rarely have we been so excited about three 30-second video clips as we were at the Digital Entertainment Group Europe event held in Disney's offices last night. For the first time on UK soil, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment played actual footage of the forthcoming Blu-ray editions of the Star Wars movies.

Admittedly, we didn't see much. And because of its exclusivity and sensitivity, we weren't allowed to take photographs or video footage of the screen itself (just wide shots). But what we did see was enough to get us as excited as a 7-year-old given his first Darth Vader costume on Christmas morning.

The first two clips we saw were from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (featuring Yoda and some clone troopers flying over the battlefield during the Battle of Geonosis), and the Obi-Wan Kenobi / Anakin Skywalker final fight in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Obviously, as both movies were filmed and stored digitally, they look absolutely perfect - taking full advantage of the crispness afforded by the 1080p resolution of Blu-ray. It depends on the TV's calibration, but on the new Panasonic plasma at the DEGE event the colourfields of both scenes offered, perhaps, the greatest initial impact.

Whatever your thoughts on the content of the prequel trilogy, it is unlikely that you will ever have seen them look more vibrant (and we include HD runs on TV and, even, a majority of cinema presentations).

The pièce de résistance, however, came with the clip from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Taken from the opening sequence of the Special Edition version of the movie (where the Star Destroyer engulfs Princess Leia's starship), the moment when you first see C3PO in full 1080p is stunning. His golden shell gleams with such fine detail and shine that you'd swear the movie was made this year rather than 1977.

In short, from our fleeting but much welcomed previews, Lucasfilm has done an awesome job with the Blu-ray transfer. 12 September is rapidly becoming a landmark date.

We'll bring you more on the Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray as its release day approaches.

milo bloom 07-17-11 06:27 PM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by Breather (Post 10857076)
) I'm one that also hopes we'll get an available "ultimate" set someday as well, with the OOT and whatever his latest version is, along with all previously released bonus material. I'm actually more doubtful about that one, however.

I found this article with some quotes from Lucas. Maybe this one indicates a little wavering in his stance. He went from purely "artistic" reasons for not releasing them to it being "too expensive". Maybe just wishful thinking on my part.



""We've been working on them(the September blu-ray set) for quite a while," Mr. Lucas said, "but still, there are pipelines. Unfortunately, the recent releases get priority over what we call the classic versions of things."

Link:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/20...ray-next-year/

I've noticed that also, that softening over the years. As shitty as the quality was, allowing the old laserdisc transfers of the originals to be released on DVD at all was an important step. And comments like you point out where he cites cost instead of his usual "artistic vision" BS really makes me think he's coming around. He's even been spotted wearing a "Han Shot First" t-shirt here and there.

Doesn't seem to be much a stretch to think they we wouldn't hear even an inkling about them officially until sales of the SE versions on Bluray have dropped off, then of course they'll realize they need another cash infusion and there you go.

E Unit 07-19-11 06:00 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Some details on the extras, some which will be availible for preview this week for those with iPads.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/18/s...-launching-at/

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....rlyaccess2.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....rlyaccess1.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....rlyaccess3.jpg


We're still a few months away from the Star Wars movies release on Blu-ray, but dedicated fans can get a preview of the set this week in the Early Access app for iOS. Set to debut in time for Comic-Con on July 20th, the free app promises some of the 40+ hours of bonus materials planned for the discs, including concept art, models and interviews with cast and crew. We've already seen iPad apps pulling in extras to go along with movies like Tron: Legacy, but this is the first one we've seen launch ahead of the Blu-ray release. Check out a couple more screenshots and detailed description after the break, then come back tomorrow for our hands-on look at the Star Wars app.

GreenVulture 07-19-11 06:49 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Why are you trying to derail this thread by giving us news about the Blu set?

E Unit 07-19-11 06:55 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Have to admit, the theories and dissection of Lucas' mind is rather enthralling. No doubt we'll go back to that shortly.

Kal-El 07-20-11 11:48 AM

re: Star Wars
 
The Star Wars early Blu-Ray preview iPad app is now on the App Store for those interested.

Breather 07-21-11 01:10 AM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by milo bloom (Post 10857344)
I've noticed that also, that softening over the years. As shitty as the quality was, allowing the old laserdisc transfers of the originals to be released on DVD at all was an important step. And comments like you point out where he cites cost instead of his usual "artistic vision" BS really makes me think he's coming around. He's even been spotted wearing a "Han Shot First" t-shirt here and there.

Doesn't seem to be much a stretch to think they we wouldn't hear even an inkling about them officially until sales of the SE versions on Bluray have dropped off, then of course they'll realize they need another cash infusion and there you go.

Those pictures of him in that shirt make me think he's either toying with us or maybe he's going to surprise us in two months by going back to the original Han/Greedo scene for the new set. That's probably too much for me to hope for. :D

I feel the same way you do. Once sales of this set taper off, maybe the OOT will be in the "pipelines" he spoke about in that article.

Artman 07-21-11 09:36 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Amazon's updated the US art with a promo shot - confirms it's like the Alien case (not sure if that's an outer box pictured or not). The silver discs look classy imo. Early word is the transfers look great. Man, if only they'd included the DVD docs...

tylergfoster 07-22-11 01:29 AM

re: Star Wars
 
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article...lu-ray-release

milo bloom 07-22-11 10:41 AM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by droidguy1119 (Post 10863072)

Quality aside, great to see scenes like that finally. Really hoping I can find a great deal on the 9 disc set. I'm just not excited enough otherwise to buy this.

Mabuse 07-22-11 10:50 AM

re: Star Wars
 

Originally Posted by milo bloom (Post 10863387)
Quality aside, great to see scenes like that finally. Really hoping I can find a great deal on the 9 disc set. I'm just not excited enough otherwise to buy this.

Quality asside? That's the best quality I've ever seen of that stuff. Previously we've only had stills or black and white dailys. Great stuff. This is the part of the box set I'm most excited about.

LosingMyMind 07-22-11 07:36 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Deleted scenes montage:
http://www.starwars.com/video/view/001267.html

Ranger 07-22-11 10:47 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Cool. Last scene reminded me of Dune, was that Obi-Wan (Ewan) walking away?

milo bloom 07-22-11 10:55 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Both links are the same montage.

Ranger: that's Luke from ROTJ. After they sail away from Jabba's exploding sail barge, there's several scenes (also in the montage) of them walking in a sandstorm back to the Falcon, an X-Wing and a Y-wing (that got left behind on Tattooine).

Ranger 07-22-11 11:15 PM

re: Star Wars
 
Yeah, I have bad eyes. Thanks, looked like he had a brown robe.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RlMjnHvlehw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

tylergfoster 07-23-11 06:26 AM

re: Star Wars
 
I'm sure he does have a brown robe, a glaring inconsistency that proves the cave scene was faked!!!!!

tylergfoster 07-23-11 08:38 AM

re: Star Wars
 
Uh oh. Based on recurrent video glitches, there's heavy theorizing over at Blu-Ray.com that these Blus are not actually newly remastered, but sourced from the 2004 masters.

http://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mov...011-a-849.html


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